2017 BMW 540i Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS,SEATS

2 complaints

Passenger Restraint System error in BMW seems to be a common problem. This should be looked over for a recall issue.

Jan 12, 2023

Front Passenger Seat Malfunction - Intermittent on and off warning No risk yet but BMW road aside assist confirmed that air bag might not deploy on passenger side Vehicle inspected by Irvine BMW and warning or concerns shown, just tried to bill me without root causing the issue. Yes the warning comes up on and off. Intermittent.

Jan 25, 2022

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

as per [XXX] RE: Recall 22V-xxx: Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Heater – B11 01 22 This should be covered by BMW but they charges us and not refunding review charges below [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Nov 24, 2025

SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

While driving on highways when there is no car in front of me, my car suddenly warns me of collision and applies brakes automatically! This almost caused an accident with the cars behind me. They were about to collide with me from behind because my car was applying brakes automatically without my control. Please help me urgently.

Aug 10, 2025

SEATS

1 complaint

Driver seat restraint module system malfunction.

Dec 16, 2024

ENGINE

1 complaint

Vehicle has severely poor quality coolant hoses made from poor quality material that cannot withstand the flow of pressure within the coolant system process. Leading to the hoses deteriorating from internal pressure thus causing the coolant hoses to leak. The coolant sensors only indicate low coolant levels when there is, 1 and 3/4 inches of coolant liquid left which is 70% lower than the minimum coolant line within the main coolant reservoir which can then lead to engine failure that could result into a vehicle accident or wreck causing injury or even death. This problem has been commonly known and reported throughout the BMW community for BMW’s with the Generation 1 & 2 B58 engine models. I have taken my vehicle to two local BMW Dealerships in my surrounding area and have been notified by those dealerships that the hoses have been tested and tried under extreme conditions and that the quality should not be pertaining to the coolant leak issue rather that the coolant leak issue is effected by age and wear and tear and possibility of environmental debris or other environmental factors depending on the state and area the vehicle is based and driven in. I find that statement given by both dealerships to be inaccurate as myself and other BMW owner’s have had these issues within 50,000 miles or less and the vehicle being garage kept and only obtained between 10,000-12,000 miles annually. I sincerely branch out to the National Highway Safety Administration for additional support in holding the manufacturer accountable for it’s irresponsibility to not take corrective action on the documented common issue within the Generation 1 & 2 B58 engine models.

Dec 15, 2024

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

On G models of the bmw 5 series. Ac coil leaks r1234yf freon which causes safety issue due to the gas being exposed into the cabin of the car and to the atmosphere. Dealerships wants $5000-7000 for this repair as the whole dash needs to come out. This is almost a guaranteed failure and BMW has failed to recall for this fix. This issue arises usually at 50k-70k miles. There are no lights that come out everything will work but AC will not.

Jul 18, 2024

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

Daytime running lights are dim or discolored. SIB 63 04 was issued acknowledging the problem, however repairs are only covered under the new vehicle warranty. In most cases, the issue occurs after the new vehicle warranty has expired.

Feb 06, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

1. Airbag Light - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( cause : pass. front seat occupancy detection ) a. no explanation needed b. replaced by dealer c. warning chime and message on dash d. Labor and part cost $2380.93 2. Instrument Cluster - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( Blackout , loss of speedometer , fuel level , engine temp. directional indicator , etc. a. Cluster would blink ( on - off ) than total blackout. b. Labor and part cost $1905.28

Oct 03, 2023

TIRES

1 complaint

2017 BMW 540I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SIDEWALL ISSUES WITH PIRELLI RUN FLAT TIRES.

Apr 12, 2023

STEERING

1 complaint

The steering wheel will not go to its set position. BMW Dealer Service ran tests and found that the steering column hall effect sensor is faulty and is integral to the steering column. They have mentioned that the steering wheel adjustment will stop functioning in the future. If the steering wheel column cant be adjusted, it seems to create risky driving conditions for the driver. The dealer has reproduced and confirmed the issue. There were no other symptoms or warning messages.

Feb 21, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

Daytime Running Lights on the driver's side are malfunctioning. Connection between headlight housing and the daytime running lights are melted. Dealer found faults stored for headlight malfunction. They recommended replacing headlighthousing and LED module. The dealer has reproduced and confirmed the issue.

Feb 21, 2023

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

The passanger seat on this car’s seatbelt and airbags have malfioned numerous times. 3/2021 seat belt warning, seat matpad replaced 9/2022 air bag malfunction while driving with a passenger on highway. Once again seat matpad replaced. Car no longer in warranty $2500. It is extremely dangerous that this passanger seat keeps failing. What if I got into an accident on highway and malfunction happened right before accident? Many people on bmw post complaining about seat belt warning and air bag malfunction. You can contact BMW, from 2017 until now, the car has neen in shop 4 times with passenger seatbelt and now airbag malfunction warnings. All services done at bmw of bayshore. I have included invoices I kept on this malfunctioned passenger seat

Oct 02, 2022

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

1 complaint

Passenger seat in 2017 BMW 5 series cars have a well known and not covered fault where in a loud chiming will go off requiring the passenger seatbelt to be buckled. This chime does not stop and continues until the seat belt is buckled. There is nothing in the passengers seat. The noise is very loud and distracting. It occurs at random including driving at highway speeds. Upon bringing this to my dealer's attention they informed me that a service to repair this safety issue would cost over $2,000. I believe this will result in an unnecessary loss of life due to people either a) people fully removing the (sometimes valid) notifications of a no seatbelt warning, or b) an owner becoming alarmed by the sudden and loud chimes, possibly not knowing how to prevent the sound, and causing an accident If required I have a video of the incident (which happens daily now) if required. These issues are well documented on the BMW G30 forums for the 2017 model year.

Sep 24, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

The Instrument Cluster Display Shakes and goes completely black unable to know haw fast Your driving with all the system down You never know when its going to happen

Mar 18, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

BACKUP CAMERA IS BLACKING OUT. VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2018-19 BMW'S BUT NOT FOR 2017 BMWS. FORUMS ALSO REPORT A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS REVERSE CAMERA.

Mar 18, 2021

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

"REFILL COOLANT" INDICATOR DISPLAYS EVEN WITH FULL RESERVOIRS. TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER SO FAR, FOR REPAIRS. COMES ON WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN PARKED, AFTER DRIVING; AFTER OPENING DRIVER DOOR. FOR EXAMPLE, DRIVE ONE DAY. PARKED OVER NIGHT. MESSAGE DISPLAYS NEXT DAY WHEN DRIVER DOOR IS OPENED. GOES AWAY AGAIN AFTER A DRIVE, WITHOUT ADDING ANY FLUID. SAME EXACT ISSUE AS OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING HERE: HTTPS://G30.BIMMERPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1526216&PAGE=1

Dec 10, 2020

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BMW 540I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON ANY INCLINED HILL OR ROAD, THE BRAKES ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRINCETON BMW (3630 QUAKERBRIDGE RD, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ 08619, (609) 528-4198) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SENSORS AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE LOCATED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

Sep 03, 2019

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

I HAD DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR SWAPPING OUT MY WINTER TIRES FOR ALL SEASON TIRES. THEIR TECHNICIANS REMOVED THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCHES AND INSTALLED THEM INCORRECTLY. THIS WORK WAS NEITHER APPROVED BY ME OR MENTIONED ON THE WORK ORDER. I WAS ALSO NOT VERBALLY INFORMED OF THIS WORK BEING PERFORMED. THIS WORK WAS CLEARLY NOT TESTED OR COMPLETED PROPERLY BY THEIR TECHNICIANS. IT CAUSED THE REAR SEAT BELTS TO NOT LATCH INTO PLACE CORRECTLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT TO THE CAR SECURELY. THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY BMW OF SPRINGFIELD NJ. HAD I NOT TRIED INSTALLING MY CAR SEAT, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT ANYONE SITTING IN THE REAR RIGHT OR MIDDLE SEAT WOULD NOT BE SECURE DURING A CRASH.

Feb 27, 2018

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4.6/5.0

81 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2017 BMW 540i have?

The 2017 BMW 540i currently has 19 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2017 BMW 540i?

The most common problems reported for the 2017 BMW 540i are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2017 BMW 540i problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2017 BMW 540i comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.